Podcasting and vodcasting are tools of the internet that are being used more and more frequently - and with good reason. The movement toward their use has come from a different audience than the original growth of the internet. The internet's biggest initial growth stemmed from commercial sources where it seemed that every product or manufacturer added a web address to their TV commercials overnight. Podcasting and vodcasting gained their biggest growth from regular people who were just wanting an outlet to share their ideas and didn't want more plain text on a static page. Podcasting and vodcasting allow their authors to create, publish, and syndicate audio and video very simply. The great difference between podcasts, or vodcasts, and other audio/video files on the net comes in the ability to subscribe to them. Podcasts allow listeners to subscribe, at no cost, to the content. This means that they only need to go to the author's website once and click on the "Subscribe" or "RSS Podcast" button. The subscription to that website is then handled by a program that checks for new content every time it is launched. These programs are called aggregators and go by familiar names. iTunes, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Outlook and Entourage are common aggregator programs. The most popular, by far, is iTunes. I have 10-15 podcasts that I subscribe to and iTunes handles them all. If I am connected to the internet when I turn on the program, iTunes goes to each website that hosts my selected podcasts and downloads new content to my iTunes library for me. I can watch them on my computer, transfer them to a media player, or burn them to disc to enjoy at my leisure. I don't have to check every single site everyday to keep from missing new content.
Audio podcasting, often simply called podcasting, is primarily used for sharing sound files. The most popular audio format for an podcast is an MP3, but Apple's m4a audio format is also used. Using these audio formats to make a podcast can allow you to syndicate classroom news, student created writings as read by the author, or even student created songs and music. Podcasts can also include PDFs. Now you can post your class newsletter or homework page to your podcasts site. When parents or students subscribe, they can receive your class news delivered to them by their computers.
Vodcasting, or video podcasting, adds another layer of involvement for your intended audience. The most popular video format that is used an MP4 file. Apple's Quicktime, .mov files, and podcast video, or m4v files, are also good choices. The Quicktime movie files will require audience members to have either iTunes or at least the Quicktime player. Both players are available as free downloads from Apple's website.
Finding and Subscribing to Podcasts
You don't have to make podcasts to enjoy them. Also, there are many uses of podcasts once you get them. Podcast directories, like the iTunes Music Store, www.podcastalley.com, or www.iPodder.org, are all great.
This method is also low frills, but does allow for some creativity with the sound of the recorded voices. The Audacity software is available from www.sourceforge.com as a download. You will also need a plug-in called a LAME MP3 Encoder, which will change the sound file you create into a podcast file. The finished podcast episodes will live on the www2.cmcss.net/weblog/ server. You can post them there and will see an RSS PODCAST button allowing others to subscribe to your podcast's episodes.
1. Create Your Content.
2. Save As an MP3 file.
3. Post to the Weblog. Use Internet Explorer, not Firefox.
Now that you (and preferably your students) are podcasting. Why not step up your game, let's make a vodcast on the PC. You will need Windows Movie Maker.
1. Create Your Content( 3 different ways to make the video for your podcast
image by Melinda Kolk
image from www.qomo.com
Content from a PowerPoint No Camera Necessary
Content from a Digital Camera
Content from a Document Camera
(ProMax DP580 or QView QD700)
A text to speech generator that has a lot of very interesting applications such as reading a list of spelling words! Speaking another language! What if a web site had Voki embedded to tell students what was going on so that one's that couldn't read could hear it? What if kids used Voki to say something important?
Record conversation to the website. Go to the website. Record your words. Send your voice in an email. Embed or link to it in a webage. Download it as a file on your computer with a right-click on a PC or a Control-click on a Mac.
Is an automated presentation generator that focuses on using images to communicate a message. Great for class collaboration and easier than PowerPoint.
Web2.0 Tools
Podcasting and Vodcasting
Podcasting and vodcasting are tools of the internet that are being used more and more frequently - and with good reason. The movement toward their use has come from a different audience than the original growth of the internet. The internet's biggest initial growth stemmed from commercial sources where it seemed that every product or manufacturer added a web address to their TV commercials overnight. Podcasting and vodcasting gained their biggest growth from regular people who were just wanting an outlet to share their ideas and didn't want more plain text on a static page. Podcasting and vodcasting allow their authors to create, publish, and syndicate audio and video very simply. The great difference between podcasts, or vodcasts, and other audio/video files on the net comes in the ability to subscribe to them. Podcasts allow listeners to subscribe, at no cost, to the content. This means that they only need to go to the author's website once and click on the "Subscribe" or "RSS Podcast" button. The subscription to that website is then handled by a program that checks for new content every time it is launched. These programs are called aggregators and go by familiar names. iTunes, Internet Explorer 7, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Outlook and Entourage are common aggregator programs. The most popular, by far, is iTunes. I have 10-15 podcasts that I subscribe to and iTunes handles them all. If I am connected to the internet when I turn on the program, iTunes goes to each website that hosts my selected podcasts and downloads new content to my iTunes library for me. I can watch them on my computer, transfer them to a media player, or burn them to disc to enjoy at my leisure. I don't have to check every single site everyday to keep from missing new content.Audio podcasting, often simply called podcasting, is primarily used for sharing sound files. The most popular audio format for an podcast is an MP3, but Apple's m4a audio format is also used. Using these audio formats to make a podcast can allow you to syndicate classroom news, student created writings as read by the author, or even student created songs and music. Podcasts can also include PDFs. Now you can post your class newsletter or homework page to your podcasts site. When parents or students subscribe, they can receive your class news delivered to them by their computers.
Vodcasting, or video podcasting, adds another layer of involvement for your intended audience. The most popular video format that is used an MP4 file. Apple's Quicktime, .mov files, and podcast video, or m4v files, are also good choices. The Quicktime movie files will require audience members to have either iTunes or at least the Quicktime player. Both players are available as free downloads from Apple's website.
Finding and Subscribing to Podcasts
You don't have to make podcasts to enjoy them. Also, there are many uses of podcasts once you get them. Podcast directories, like the iTunes Music Store, www.podcastalley.com, or www.iPodder.org, are all great.Creating Audio Podcasts (Mac)
using Safari
Use Safari, Not Firefox
Your CMCSS Webpage Template
Audio Enhancements in Garageband
Creating Video Podcasts (Mac)
image by Melinda Kolk
image from www.qomo.com
No Camera Necessary
(Only MacBooks and New iMacs)
(ProMax DP580 or QView QD700)
to CMCSS Weblog Server
Enhancements in iMovie
Creating Audio Podcasts (PC)
Audacity software and CMCSS weblog server
This method is also low frills, but does allow for some creativity with the sound of the recorded voices. The Audacity software is available from www.sourceforge.com as a download. You will also need a plug-in called a LAME MP3 Encoder, which will change the sound file you create into a podcast file. The finished podcast episodes will live on the www2.cmcss.net/weblog/ server. You can post them there and will see an RSS PODCAST button allowing others to subscribe to your podcast's episodes.Use Internet Explorer, not Firefox.
LAME MP3 encoder in Audacity
with Internet Explorer
by Adding Effects
Your CMCSS Webpage Template
Creating Video Podcasts (PC)
Now that you (and preferably your students) are podcasting. Why not step up your game, let's make a vodcast on the PC. You will need Windows Movie Maker.
image by Melinda Kolk
image from www.qomo.com
No Camera Necessary
(ProMax DP580 or QView QD700)
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker
to CMCSS Weblog Server
www2.cmcss.net/weblog
Voki
A text to speech generator that has a lot of very interesting applications such as reading a list of spelling words! Speaking another language! What if a web site had Voki embedded to tell students what was going on so that one's that couldn't read could hear it? What if kids used Voki to say something important?Vocaroo
Record conversation to the website. Go to the website. Record your words. Send your voice in an email. Embed or link to it in a webage. Download it as a file on your computer with a right-click on a PC or a Control-click on a Mac.Animoto
Is an automated presentation generator that focuses on using images to communicate a message. Great for class collaboration and easier than PowerPoint.